Kevin Siegrist wants to secure setup role in Cardinals' bullpen

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2/25/15) Cardinals reliever Kevin Siegrist would like to secure the role of setup man in front of closer Trevor Rosenthal in 2015 after failing to land the job last season. He is hoping a new slide step in his delivery will help him secure the job, per MLB.com.

"I worked on it a little bit [this offseason] because I knew someone was going to say something to me," Siegrist said. "Every single bullpen [at spring training] I've been working on it, and also on the flat ground, too."

Baserunners were successful stealing off Siegrist six of seven times last year.

"I haven't had the problems like I did last year holding runners on," he said. "I looked at last year and talked about it with the coaching staff, and if I feel comfortable, I'll [use the slide step] most of the time. I just have to be careful not to get too quick. I think I was rushing it a little bit."

Cardinals' Kevin Siegrist: 'Ball feels good coming out of my hand'

by Shawn Krest | CBSSports.com

(2/17/15) Cardinals' LHP Kevin Siegrist battled injuries all last season, but he passed his first test of the spring.

In 2014, Siegrist had to cope with muscle tears in his hand, nerve discomfort in his neck and forearm irritation. He struggled to a 1-4 record with a 6.82 ERA, and he never felt comfortable.

Tuesday's first bullpen session of the spring, a few days before Cardinals pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report, was a different story. "It feels good now coming out of my hand, really good,” Siegrist said.

Cardinals GM calls Kevin Siegrist question mark heading to camp

by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(2/2/15) Cardinals pitcher Kevin Siegrist had a 2014 to forget. The 25-year-old struggled in 30 1/3 innings pitched, posting a 1-4 record with a 6.82 ERA for St. Louis.

"I didn't have the explosion at the end of my pitches," Siegrist said. "I could tell. I knew I wasn't getting through the ball the same way. It all came from the forearm and it just built up and led down into my hands. Very frustrating season for me, that's for sure."

Siegrist then underwent surgery in the offseason on his hand to repair a torn muscle. Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said he thinks Siegrist is a question mark heading into spring training.

"My thinking right now is patience because of the uncertainty you have with Siegrist," Mozeliak said about the chances of moving a lefty. "I want spring training to happen and evolve and decide."

Cardinals' Kevin Siegrist expected to throw off mound next week

Siegrist tore a muscle in his left hand in October, and was also dealing with forearm tightness. He's been recovering from the injuries during the offseason, but was able to start throwing in December. If Siegrist is able to get on a mound next week, he'll officially be ahead of schedule in his recovery. Siegrist had no concerns about getting started early, saying "I can tell [my arm is] 100 percent."